More Feeder Flinging

Tough conditions for Feedermasters flinging at the weekend! Saturday I was at Barston with cruising fish all over the lake all day. I drew 18, normally a great peg, but with every single peg in it was rather snug. Not ideal with feeders landing just metres away from each other. I think five of us in a row were all using the ‘left bench’ as their far-bank marker! I knew immediately it was going to be one of those days, so we all just laughed it off and tried to enjoy it.

I’ve managed seven carp for 44lb, which was actually OK on the day. All caught at 50 metres using a 12ft Horizon X Ultra Pro Distance with a 5000 HX Pro reel and 30g Open Alloy feeder, combined with a bit of boshing over the top. Used Sonubaits Fin Perfect 2mms, Krill pellets and Power Scopex Bait Booster. Tried going much further and much closer, just to try and get my own water, but never had a bite anywhere else.

Our zone and section was won by Mac Stephens with 86lb, Steve Ringer did amazing to win the match from peg 91 and Eddie Bridon also qualified. Well done those three.

Sunday was my first ever visit to Ferry Meadows. The ‘theatre of breams’ it’s often called although everyone suggested it was fishing tough at the moment with the weed increasing daily in this hot weather we’ve had. Sounded like you needed to draw a peg with some gravel to stand any chance. I drew peg 36 on Gunwade and discovered this whole area was all weed unfortunately.

The only goal I set myself was to try and catch a single bream. I managed that with 25 minutes to go, playing it hard and high to keep it out the weed. Four of us in a row all had a single slab. Mine went 4lb 10oz, so not massive by Ferry’s standards, but really happy to catch one and not blank on my first visit.

Tried both the method and standard feeder setups and everything I could think of to maximise the chance of a bream finding my hook bait amongst the weed and was pleasantly surprised to eventually fool one on a hair-rigged worm.

Well done Chris Buckley winning the match with 40lb and David Favell and Richard Cook all qualifying.

So not exactly great fishing both days but plenty of friendly faces and still nice to be out by the waterside. Seemed surreal watching people peddling around in front of us in giant swans and dragons, though. Also never seen so many damsel flies darting around my quivertip!